[Elmer G. White]

Today's reading is a glorious one. Paul elaborates his case for Salvation through Faith™ by studying meticulously all available relevant evidence. We are going to encounter staggering proof for his case as follows:

• Abraham as the case for Faith -> Heaven.
• Adam as the case for Law -> not enough for Heaven
• Lots of exciting circumcision stuff.
• The logical necessity of Jesus's Death and Resurrection leading to our Resurrection
• And much more!

It's time to start with Romans 4. Paul brings up a powerful authority, who is only surpassed by God, Jesus, and our pastors: Abraham. His story is worth revising (Genesis 18-22 especially). What did Abraham have that atheists, false Christians and mindless animals lack?

Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Next. Another magnificent authority: David! The greatest leader of the Ancient World.

Romans 4:6
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

It is obvious that the example of these great men provides more than enough evidence for the unbelieving mind. Paul goes on to analyze how the intricate intertwining of Faith, Law, Righteousness, Salvation and Works are reflected in the most important aspects of foreskin anatomy:

Romans 4:9-12
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Because of the pivotal part that foreskin removal has played in the Master Plan of Jesus and God, it is very good that we have this clarification from Paul. These verses (Romans 4:9-12) are among the most significant in the Bible, and we can be sure that the deep understanding of them is going to be one of the things that Jesus will be questioning us about once we approach the Heavenly gates!

This powerful Faith™ made it possible for Abraham to receive the circumcision at the age of 99 and to sire children with his post-menopausal spouse (Romans 4:19). It is this Faith™ that allowed Abraham to calmly start the preparations to murder his own son (Genesis 22:12) and to ultimately receive the gift of Heaven (Luke 16:22-25). It is evident that Paul is also reminding us here of Luke 14:26. As Abraham was ready to hate Isaac and butcher him in cold blood, so we must be prepared to hate our family in order to choose Jesus!

Wonderful stuff! We go on and reach Romans 5. We have to believe everything in the Bible and if we do, glorious fun will enter our lives.

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Also incredible nastiness will happen.

Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

But, as Jesus told us (Matthew 5:10): The bad things that happen to True Christians™ only increase our good position in Heaven.

Abraham is now covered and it is time to assess the case of Adam, who spoiled everything with his sorry excuse for a wife (Genesis 3:6). The irrefutable logic of Paul goes like this:

• Sin entered through one man, Adam, his transgression (he disobeyed the One Law regarding frugivory).

Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

• In a similar manner, death was defeated by one man, Jesus Christ who is God (John 1:1-4).

Romans 5:15-16
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

Now we are seeing a pattern. We are learning how Spiritual evidence is constructed. We are learning by analogy. One man sinned, we needed another to cleanse it. The sample size of Paul if simple and beautiful (N = 1/group). This sample size causes no statistical complications, it produces only 100% certainty. And the samples chosen are the most relevant: the first man Created (Genesis 1:26) and Jesus Christ! 1 = 1 . Q.E.D.

Romans 5:21
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin -> Death = Grace -> Eternal Life. 1 = 1. Glory!

Now that that was nice! What about Chapter 6? Paul goes on to provide us with more examples of this logic.

Romans 6:6-8
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

Again, the logic is beyond probabilities and statistics.

• Jesus died for us.
• If he lives, so shall we live, too!

Romans 6:9
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Romans 6:11
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus was resurrected = we shall be resurrected IF we have Faith in Him, if we are of Him. This means that John 3:18 is re-enforced. Those who reject Him are condemned. Glory! Once we accept this, we are free from sin!

Romans 6:18
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Glory! The chapter closes with some of the most glorious verses in all Bible! Paul does kick ass!

Romans 6:22-23
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

With these instructions, we can serve God as obedient slaves in happiness for all eternity!


Next Time: More about Law, Sin and Everything!


Yours in Christ,

Elmer